Washing-machine



(No Model.) I W. G. FLANDERS.

Y WASHING MACHINE.

Patented June 13, 1882.

F I HII- IHI NITED STATES WILLIAM G. FLANDERS, OF TROY, NEWV YORK.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,636, dated June 13, 1882.

Application filed December 21, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GATES FLAN- DEBS, of Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The objectot' myinventionis tomakeacheap and simple utensil for washing clothes and articles requiring similar treatment, which shall perform the entire operation almost automatically; and thenoveltyconsistsinthepeculiarity of the construction and combination of the several parts of the device, all as will now be more fully explained, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section of present device. Fig. 2 is a top plan view on line at m, Fig. 1, plate D being removed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the plate D, and Figs. 4 and 5 the detail of the valves.

The main vessel A is of any general form that may be desired. In practice the form shown in the drawings is perhaps best adapted to the purpose. It is round, and provided near the bottom with an inwardly-projecting head, 0, which holds the perforated screen D in place by contact with its beveled hoop t. The boiler is also provided with a cover, F, fitting snugly into the top by means of an ordinary hoop. A pipe, G, opening into the cover and terminating in the stove pipe or flue, allows the steam to escape up the chimney, while the tightly-fittin g cover prevents its escape into the room with the usual unpleasant results.

In the bottom of the vessel is fastened a comparatively shallow receptacle, B, smaller in diameter than the vessel. This is also provided with a tightly-fitting cover, E. To this cover is fastened a vertical tube, 0, extending upward to a point as near the top of the vessel as may be found necessary. This tube is perforated with a number of small holes for the escape of steam and water. The form of this tube is not very material, though the conical shape shown is probably the most suitable. It will also follow that two or more may be used, if desired.

Near the bottom of the inner receptacle, B, are holes a for the admission of water. I Over these holes are hung, on suitable hinges, the inwardly-operating valves 1) b b{. These are provided with weights 0 0, as shown, or may have springs to close them automatically when the pressure of steam inside the receptacle is sufficient to counteract the weight of the surrounding water. A bridge, 0, placed over the valves, prevents their opening beyondacertain distance and protects them from accidents.

D is a screen-diaphragm with a central hole, M, through which the tubeGpasses,and outer holes, d d, for the free passage of water to and around the valves. It is held in place by contact of its beveled hoop i with the beade in the vessel. Its purpose is to prevent the clothes or other articles from getting in the way of and clogging the valves. As will be seen, it is placed about in, line with the top of the cover of the inner receptacle.

The whole may be made of tin or otherlight material, and with slight modifications the working parts may be applied singly or doubly to an ordinary wash-boiler.

The process of washing and the action of the invention are briefly described as follows The washer is placed on the stove, supplied with the requisite amount of water. The articles to be washed are put into the vessel around the tube, with the dirtiest nearest to it. Soap is added to the water, the cover is put on, and the washer is ready for operation. The inner receptacle is now full of water, and the valves have closed by their own weight or by the pressure of the spring, as the case may be. The water is raised to the boiling-point, when the steam generated in the inner receptacle escapes through the only outlet-the holes in the tube. This creates a vacuum, which forces the water in this receptacle through the tube also with great energy. Practically there is no apparent difference in time between the escape of steam and that of the water. By a simultaneous action they rush through the perforations in the tube and strike the articles surrounding it with great force. At the same time the water outside the receptacle rises, which,in connection with the pressure of the escapin g streams of steamm g water, elevates the articles several inches in the vessel. As soon as the force of the steam has become exhausted the water rushes into the receptacle again, the valves close, the clothes settle, and the blast is again repeated. An intermittent action-is thus secured, which keeps the articles in a state of agitation and permits the hot water to penetrate to every part of the surrounding mass and cleanse it thoroughly. This is coniinued until the dirt is entirely removed or un- Ill it may be found desirable to change the water. It will thus be seen that the only manual labor required is in the handling ofthe washer, the water, and the articles washed, while the hard labor of scrubbing is wholly dispensed with.

In Fig.1 may be seen the actionof the valves. 1) I) represent valves open to take in water, and b shows the valve closed.

The action of the washer is very simple,

claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a wash-boiler, as described, the combination of chamber B, having side openings, to, automatic valves 1), and perforated pipe O,witl1 a perforated screen or diaphragm, D, which fits close upon the top of B, all substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM GATES FLANDERS.

Attest:

J. M. ST. JOHN, ESTES WILsoN. 

